Polarization

Polarization - Division into two sharply distinct opposites. Especially: a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes.

-Merriam-Webster Dictionary

 Special Report from Justin Aleeyus (ARV) - Merriam-Webster has chosen polarization as the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year for 2024.  It is said to have been a long and dirty election process with water-cooler advertisements that included incomplete definitions, questionable synonyms, and malicious ad‑homonyms.  In making their choice, the staff at Merriam Webster was said to be deeply polarized, exposing long-seated philosophical differences between Merriams and Websters, including accusations of lexicographical misconduct and thesaurus tampering.  Nevertheless a peaceful transition occurred between 2023's word of the year "authentic" and the incoming WOTY.  (Which was expected, as it is the authentic thing to do.)  Next year may be different, as we're hearing that some staffers are already pushing for the unprecedented change that would allow polarization to be word of the year again next year.  Fittingly, the inauguration of the 21st Word of the Year took place in Antarctica at the South Pole.  The ceremony was held indoors due to the cold.

The dictionary definition cited above implies that polarization is a rarity, that opinions typically range along a continuum. If we visualize the continuum as a "normal curve" (like the hump of a Dromedary camel) most opinions cluster near the middle (the mean), with extremes being the exception. Even if we assign blue to the left and red to the right, their average position remains relatively close.

But in a polarized state, opinions no longer form a single curve. Instead, they resemble two separate normal curves with a gap between them, more akin to a Bactrian (2-humped) camel. Red and blue occupy different humps. The average red opinion is far from the average blue opinion. The middle ground, once common, has become the rarity.

Yet sharp distinctions exist in our daily life without making us feel polarized. In New England, you are either a Red Sox fan or a Yankee fan, there is no real continuum. But I don't think one feels polarized. Red Sox fans attend games at Yankee stadium and Yankee fans at Fenway Park. And while there are occasional fights, most of the banter is good-natured, and everyone gets along. A one-humped camel.

Likewise, Democrats and Republicans still shop at the same grocery stores, eat at the same restaurants, and root for the same sports teams. A Republican in Massachusetts still roots for the Patriots; a Democrat in Dallas still roots for the Cowboys. Both political parties equally share the roads and follow the speed limits (or here in Massachusetts, both drive over the speed limits). Looking at someone's shopping basket at the grocery doesn't give any clue to their political affiliation. "Polarization" was never even a runner-up for Word of the Year before, so what is different now? Why do we feel such polarization now? What causes polarization?

When faced with such questions, our human tendency is to jump to an answer. For example, I suspect most readers had an immediate answer to the question of polarization and what is to blame. But such quick answers stem predominately from our subconscious, shaped by our existing political beliefs. As a result, Democrats and Republicans will likely give very different answers to that question. Which in turn fuels frustration, even anger, leading to more polarization.